Urbanized elderly’s requirements for Physical Therapy Clinic

Abstract

Although aging society is one of the major problems in Thailand today, this also marks a great opportunity for physical therapy to play a role in the transition of Thai society. The present study aimed to identify the
requirements of the elderly who undergo physical therapy treatment at a clinic in the Khon Kaen District, Thailand. Understanding their requirements will be useful in renovating the physical environment and managing the treatment pattern to serve their needs. A total of 127 elderly people were recruited into the study, which was conducted between July 2017 and June 2018. After using a self-administered questionnaire as the study tool, the collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. The results revealed that almost all the volunteers were classified as young-old elderly. About 73% of the participants had underlying diseases, of which hypertension was the most common. In addition, the volunteers required a clinic located in a convenient place. Furthermore, they also required facilities with certain features, such as ramps, handrails, and elderly toilets, along with professional therapists and equipment. In conclusion, for the early phase of the aging society, Physical Therapy Clinic should provide suitable physical environment to support the diminishing physical ability of the elderly. Caregiver service while receiving treatment should be provided for the middle-old elderly. Additionally, for the old-old elderly, the transfer service between the residence and the clinic should be offered. Finally, in order to provide the most appropriate assessment and treatment, the geriatric physical therapist should be hired and the sufficient equipment should be provided for the elderly.